Bang-for-the-Buck

Make it go fast! Kick it up a notch. Post tips in here.
bobplyler
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 823
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 spider 2000
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Bang-for-the-Buck

Post by bobplyler »

I used the stock intake manifold. I put a 32-36 DFAV (like the DFEV with a water choke instead of an electric choke) on about 14 years ago. That was the only change I made at the time. It made a large difference. Some of the emission stuff is plugged, but not much.
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
jeremylmartin

Re: Bang-for-the-Buck

Post by jeremylmartin »

I wanted to report back what I have done since I bought by 79 end of last year. I decided to do it it steps so I could gauge and document my take on the increased performance. So far all I have done is swap the stock carb for a 32/36 EMPI carb I got from Allison's Automotive. The swap was super easy and all I have adjusted so far is the idle speed. Everything else is stock except I removed the air pump and added a new ground cable. Now this may not hold true for everyone but on my stock 79 California Spider doing just the carb swap made a significant difference in the feel of the car. I don't know how much power it added but it is way more fun to drive and for me very noticeable. I know there are a lot of late 70's Fiats out there - so if you are wanting some increased performance for a reasonable cost and very little work I say go for a better carb!

My next step is to install the single plane intake that I have. I'll be interested to see what additional difference it makes. Unless it is significant it will be hard to justify it when the carb upgrade is so easy. Though the cleaner engine bay is going to be nice even if the power increase is not significant.
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